One of the most-asked questions regarding moving into assisted living is: What is the best time of the year to move?
The only right answer is: Whenever YOU’RE ready.
Planning a move is a big task for anyone, but especially for older adults. It is often a major life adjustment and takes lots of planning and help to keep stress as limited as possible.
Most people associate big moves with the warmer months of summer. However, if you are feeling ready now, but hesitant due to the colder weather outside, there are several reasons why moving in the winter can be a great experience. There are even some advantages to moving in the winter over other seasons.
Get The Family Involved
Winter is a time when families come together to celebrate, catch up, reminisce, and make new memories together. This can be a great opportunity for the family to rally together to help a senior loved one pack up their home and prepare for a move into an assisted living community (such as Auburn Hill Senior Living).
Having extra hands to move large furniture pieces or just carry boxes can take the physical burden of moving off the shoulders of an aging loved one.
Keep Tabs On The Weather
Plan your big move around the weather forecast. It’s best to avoid the coldest months or those that are expected to get the most snowfall, if possible. In the days leading up to the move, keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan to postpone the move on days that are calling for major winter weather events.
Additionally, if your loved one is moving out of state or somewhere a few hours’ drive away, be sure to check on the weather at the destination locations before heading out.
Hire A Moving Service
One great thing about moving in the winter is that most moving companies are in their slow season, so they should have plenty of availability to help you facilitate the move.
Not only will a moving company help you do the heavy lifting, but they can also make sure precious belongings are carefully moved from one home to the next or safely stored away in a storage unit.
Many seniors have a lot of anxiety around moving and downsizing. Some do not want to part with their sentimental belongings, so it’s best to hire a professional moving company that is trained to keep things in pristine condition. For those seniors experiencing stress about selling or giving away precious items, a storage unit can be a great way to help them ease their anxiety and not need to make decisions until they’re happily moved into their new home.
The Seller’s Market Is Good In The Winter
In the world of real estate, winter is considered a desirable time to sell your home. Not only does Redfin state that homes sell more quickly and for more money in the winter, but buyers are usually more serious about getting into a home if they are looking in the winter.
If your senior loved one will be selling their current home to move to assisted living, winter just might be the perfect time to get them the most value for their home and set them up better in their new home.
Winter Can Be Lonely
The winter months are notorious for being isolated, lonely, and “blue.” This can be especially true for older adults that are living alone.
Moving to an assisted living community can give your senior loved one new friends, neighbors, a friendly team, and daily planned social activities to ward off the winter blues and keep them content through the coldest months of the year.
The Weather Can Be Dangerous
Some families have concern for their senior loved ones that live alone through the winter months for a variety of reasons. Ice can cause hazardous conditions for unstable footing, heating a home can be burdensome, and winter snow storms can cause power outages and road hazards that keep seniors locked in at home.
It can bring great peace of mind to move an aging loved one into an assisted living community where all of these things are taken care of for your loved one. Additionally, many assisted living communities have all the amenities of “town” right within their community, such as barber shops, theaters, cafes, and even fitness centers. Your loved one can get all their errands done safely and stress-free this winter by moving into a great senior living community.
Come Home To Auburn Hill Senior Living
When your loved one is ready to enjoy life in a community that is lively, welcoming, and inspiring – we’ll be ready to say WELCOME HOME!